The MGI Group will present the next phase of its “Innovation in Motion” strategy for integrated digital printing and embellishment technology at the Paris All4Pack Exhibition, from November 26-29th.
The new AlphaJET Industrial Print Factory will be demonstrated with 6 combined B1 inkjet printing and embellishment functions that include:
• White UV Pigment Ink
• Inline Substrate Sheet Priming
• 2D/3D UV Clear Varnish Ink
• 3 Curing Methods: LED, IR & UV
• Aqueous CMYK Printing Ink
• Variable Embossed Foil Decorating
The AlphaJET is also designed with expansion capabilities for the implementation of Printed Electronic (PE) circuitry applications such as chipless RFID/NFC antennas and OLED flexible screen technology.
2018 All4Pack Innovation Award
In recognition of the significant industry achievement involved in developing the first hybrid digital press for integrated UV/Aqueous printing, packaging and decorative applications, an international All4Pack committee of expert judges has honored MGI with the prestigious 2018 Innovation Award.
Memjet Inkjet Technology Partnership
The AlphaJET performance will also mark the public debut of a new MGI partnership with MemJet, a global leader in the development of digital inkjet print heads, ink formulation and modular technology.
“All-in-One” Unified Decorative Printing & Packaging
The AlphaJET utilizes the new Memjet DuraLink ink modules and print heads for CMYK color impressions with 1600 dpi resolution. The White and Clear varnish inks take advantage of UV inkjet technology for a revolutionary best-of-breed convergence of digital printing methods. This powerful array of high-speed ink deposition processes allows the AlphaJET to both print and embellish corrugated flute board, paper, plastic and synthetic substrates at 1,800 B1 sheets (70.7x100cm/28x40”) per hour.
MGI’s product development focus for the AlphaJET is to consolidate the functionality of traditionally separate, disconnected operational workflows, such as primer coating, printing, and embellishment and converting, into a single combined “All-in-One” Industrial Print Factory for complete job management.
New Substrate Management Model
The AlphaJET also has extraordinarily versatile substrate management capabilities for folding carton materials, corrugated flute board and other specialty stocks and rigid materials such as wood, metal and glass. It features a unique, circular transport carousel with an intelligent tray feeding system for multi-directional ink application to optimize print quality on a very wide range of substrates. The motorized electro-magnetic conveyer rails and intelligent AIS Smartscanner software provides accurate and secure print registration with an unprecedented precision tolerance of only 5 microns (.005mm) on each piece.
New Packaging Market Opportunities
The significant advancement of uniting CMYK AQ printing and White/Clear UV decorative ink technologies in a single, inline press workflow provides strength and power for targeting the entire spectrum of retail consumer packaging applications, including new rapidly growing food and child-safe product segments that typically require aqueous-based ink solutions.
Industry analysts have estimated that approximately 25% of all materials printed worldwide are packaging-related products. The AlphaJET architecture has been specifically designed to allow printers and converters to maximize profitability and capture new opportunities in this high-growth sector.
The print enhancement functionality can also blend visual images with alpha-numeric text to produce attractive security and anti-counterfeiting Variable Data Holograms (VDH) for retail brand distribution.
MGI & Konica Minolta Packaging & Label Solutions
In addition to the AlphaJET, MGI will be exhibiting the award-winning JETvarnish 3D Evolution B1 sheet-fed and JETvarnish 3D Web roll-fed digital enhancement presses at the All4Pack Exhibition (Hall 6 Booth L148). MGI’s Global Partner, Konica Minolta (Booth L151) will be demonstrating the dynamic flexibility of their AccurioLabel 190 digital press. MGI’s German engineering and manufacturing subsidiary, KÖRA-PACKMAT (Booth L121), will also be presenting their packaging, transport and finishing solutions.
The strength of the MGI & Konica Minolta alliance will be on display throughout the premier three day packaging industry event with samples of digitally-enriched folding carton boxes, labels and flexible packaging products – including AlphaJET-generated “Smart Packaging” examples of RFID/NFC/OLED Printed Electronics applications – available for attendees, analysts and the media.
